How the world marked International Women’s Day

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Every day at Women’s Agenda is Women’s Day, so it’s true that when IWD rolls around we tend to roll our eyes. Nevertheless it’s true that #IWD2018 was the source of some pretty special moments. Voices were raised, inspiring stories and social posts went viral, corporate commitments were made and events filled up.

Here’s how the world internationally marked just one of this year’s 365 women’s days.

And it’s not just in California that McDonald’s made the statement. The global brand flipped its iconic golden-arches for the first time on all digital platforms to celebrate women.

“In celebration of women everywhere, and for the first time in our brand history, we flipped our iconic arches for International Women’s Day in honour of the extraordinary accomplishments of women everywhere and especially in our restaurants,” McDonald’s global chief diversity officer, Wendy Lewis, revealed in a statement.

Triple J brings ‘Girls to the Front’ with 24hrs of female-identifying artists, music programmers, and presenters.

For the fourth year running, Triple J played only female artists, scheduled by female music programmers, and delivered to you by female presenters.

Gemma Pike, assistant music director at Triple J and Girls to the Front programmer explained,“It’s amazing that something so simple can instil such a sense of power and positivity. It’s great that at any time of the day a young girl can turn on the radio and be inspired by women just like her. Basically it’s a big warm fuzzy.”

Energy Australia ended the gender pay gap overnight

(1/2) Today, we announced that we will take the next step towards closing the gender pay gap. From April, EnergyAustralia will close its 2 percent gender pay gap by investing $1.2 million into…

Energy Australia spent $1.2 million to equalise the pay packets of 350 female employees who were being paid less than their male counterparts. The company also promised a five-year review to ensure the gap wasn’t re-opened.

Managing Director, Catherine Tanna said, “I am really pleased that we’re able to say this year, 2018, at Energy Australia, we’re bridging that gap… But I’m sorry that it’s taken so long and that our women at Energy Australia have had to wait for this day.”

Indian South Central Railway deployed all women teams to three stations

Three Indian South Central Railway (SRC) stations were fully-managed by women for the day, promoting women in the industry.

Chief public relations officer M Umashankar Kumar said, “Along with Chandragiri railway station, Begumpet, which is one of the busiest suburban stations in Hyderbalk city and Phirangipuram station in Guntur division are also set to become all-women stations from March 8, which is ‘International Women’s Day’.”

A year on from its installation, Wall Street’s “Fearless Girl” was given a cape of purple flowers courtesy of retailer Old Navy.

Only intended as a temporary fixture, the statue has stayed put opposite the iconic ‘Charging Bull’. With city officials discussing whether she should remain indefinitely, statue creator Kristen Visbal said, “I really feel that this placement of ‘Fearless Girl’ in front of ‘Raging Bull’ is a historical moment.” She should stay where she is.”

Lauren O’Connor is the account manager and publishing assistant for Women’s Agenda. She’s a fierce lover of words, self-proclaimed coffee snob, professional communicator by day and yoga teacher-in-training by night.